District Administration - October 2009 - (Page 65)

ADVERTISEMENT Mobile County Schools improves communications with video With the Cisco Digital Media System, the district is sharing news, events and instructional content W communications between parents, ITH MORE THAN 9,000 teachers, administrative staff and employees and 63,000 stuthe public. “We share weekly updents, the Mobile County, dates about test scores, PTA events, Alabama, public school district has where we are spending money, and extensive needs for communications, more, in two- or three-minute vidboth internally and externally. Ineos that people are likely to watch,” creasingly, administrators in the dissays Akridge. “We have a $60 miltrict turn to video as the best medium lion tax referendum on the ballot for for sharing information among teachNovember 2010. The Cisco Digital ers, students and parents. Media System will help us inform The district’s use of video increased “We are saving $3,000 to $5,000 voters why the money is needed and dramatically with the recent implementation of the Cisco Digital Media annually by eliminating the need how we’ll spend it.” Using the digital signage and Cisco System to create, manage, publish and to rent space for our in-service.” Video Portal to provide streaming access high-quality digital media on video of graduations has increased digital signage as well as on a desktop video portal. As part of that implementation, every school in the community goodwill. “The father of one our students who graddistrict has a 50-inch digital display in its lobby, so parents, visi- uated in 2008 was stationed in Iraq,” says Akridge. “He was able tors, and staff can conveniently watch videos of Mobile County to log into the video portal to watch his daughter walk across the stage and receive her diploma, live.” School District news. Cisco Video Portal has also contributed to cost-savings. “We “Our first priority is to use the Cisco Digital Media System for communications that promote a positive attitude toward the are saving $3,000 to $5,000 annually by eliminating the need to school system from the community,” says David Akridge, execu- rent space for our in-service,” says Akridge. “We’re also saving the time, fuel costs and environmental impact of 9,100 people drivtive manager of technology for the district. Content shown on the digital signage includes a weekly ing up to 50 miles to a central location.” Now that the Cisco Digital Media System is in place, the 30-minute news program that showcases district initiatives, a scorecard that highlights district accomplishments, announce- Mobile County School District plans to increase its return on ments about upcoming events, budget information and student- investment. For instance, it will use the digital signs to publish warnings and instructions in case of events such as tornadoes, produced videos. In addition to the digital signage, Mobile County School Dis- fires, intruders, or campus lock-downs. The district is also investrict’s video initiative includes a Cisco Video Portal, which allows tigating deploying digital signs at the Chamber of Commerce, students, teachers, staff and visitors to watch full-size videos on a airport, and large employers, playing videos that keep the busiPC or laptop. Teachers use the Cisco Video Portal to show con- ness community and parents informed about school district actent that reinforces classroom instruction. Relatives and friends tivities and accomplishments. who cannot attend graduation ceremonies in person can view them live on the web, from any location in the world. And teach- To find out more about Cisco Digital Media system, ers and staff watch in-service speakers on the Cisco Video Portal, visit www.cisco.com/go/dmsedu. saving the time, fuel costs, and carbon emissions associated with driving up to 50 miles. The Cisco Digital Media System plays an important role in the Mobile County School District’s strategic plan to improve http://www.cisco.com/go/dmsedu http://www.cisco.com/go/dmsedu

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - October 2009

District Administration - October 2009
Contents
From the Editor
News Update
Security
College Prep
Stimulus Monitor
Administrator Profile
Professional Opinion
Crisis Response
Tech Disruptions
Digital Classrooms Take Flight
Measuring Success in Harrisburg
Reaching Graduation with Credit Recovery
Almost There?
Back to School for Retired Baby Boomers
Problem Solution
New Products
Product Focus
How Well Does This Web Site Work?
Understanding the Times

District Administration - October 2009